Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, previously detained in Iran, left Tehran for her homeland. This was reported by the press service of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni, who in turn informed the parents of the 29-year-old woman.
Sala, who was working in Iran on a journalist's visa, was arrested on December 19, 2024 for "violating the laws of the Islamic Republic". Details were not released, and authorities and relatives asked the media to maintain maximum secrecy while the work was carried out through diplomatic channels. The Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to Rome for clarification.
The media reports that the Italian woman was arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport a few days after the arrest of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini at the request of the United States. However, Tehran has assured that there is no hint of "blackmail" and "attempted exchange", as the Italian media assumed.
On January 5, Maloney left for a short visit to the USA, where he met with the newly elected President Donald Trump at his mansion in Florida. The Italian media reported that the fate of the Italian journalist was raised during the meeting.
